Celtic 4-1 Falkirk
Maeda (25′) Johnston (54′) Murray (61′) Henderson (64′ 0g) Adams (67′)
Celtic progressed to the Premier Sports Quarter Final Draw after a convincing four-goal victory against Falkirk.
Maeda headed the champions into the lead after 25 minutes, before three more goals in a ruthless 10-minute second-half spell killed off the Bairns, who pulled one back through Keelan Adams which was nothing more than a consolation.
Brendan Rodgers made six changes from Celtic’s 2-0 victory at Pittodrie on Sunday against a Falkirk team unbeaten in their group, who themselves made two changes from the disappointing 3-1 league defeat at Livingston last weekend.
Celtic started brightly, establishing a high tempo for much of the opening period. James Forrest cushioned a Maeda cross into the path of Johnny Kenny, but the striker flashed wide for the opening chance of the game.
Liam Henderson almost gifted Celtic the lead on 11 minutes when his attempted backpass caught out Scott Bain, but luckily trickled past the post to keep the scores level.
Kieran Tierney was next to try his luck, but Bain was alert to turn his fizzing strike behind for a corner. Arne Engels crashed a free kick off the crossbar before Celtic eventually took the lead minutes later.
Callum McGregor clipped a delicate ball to Tierney, the left back cushioned his header across goal for the onrushing Daizen Maeda to head home for a deserved opener.
Falkirk rarely threatened Viljami Sinisalo in the Celtic goal but looked a threat on the counter. The Finnish goalkeeper was alert to tip Calvin Millar’s 20-yard strike past the post, and block Alfie Agyeman’s low strike.
Forrest had a golden chance to double the lead, but he headed Luke McCowan’s back-post cross over the bar. Despite wave after wave of Celtic attacks, they were unable to add to Maeda’s heading finish.
Celtic started the second half exactly how they ended the first – on the front foot. Forrest’s powerful strike was tipped behind by Bain, and the former teammates exchanged a wry smile as the goalkeeper came out on top again.
A barrage of Engels corner kicks followed before the home side eventually doubled their lead. It was the unlikely source of right back Alistair Johnston who fired a left-footed strike into the bottom corner after Millar surrendered possession.
The 3rd goal followed on the hour mark as Engels whipped another pinpoint corner kick, which Dane Murray glanced home, rounding off a dream day after signing a new three-year deal hours before.
Celtic had the ball in the net again three minutes later. Yang burst down the left, and his cross was met by the knee of Falkirk defender Henderson. He could only watch helplessly as the ball trickled into the Falkirk net.
It was a blistering ten-minute spell from Celtic, showcasing the attacking intent that secured a fourth straight Scottish Premiership title last season.
The visitors did find consolation soon after, an arrowing Adams strike from the right-hand side of the box whistled past Sinisalo in goal.
Celtic regained their composure soon after and they were unable to add to their lead, but Rodgers will be pleased with the comprehensive nature of their victory against the Championship winners.
